File structure



Sept. 9, 1969 E. A. DAHL., JR 3,465,460

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E. A. DAHL, JR

FILE STRUCTURE sept. 9, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 13,1966 United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 129-16 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE A file arrangement including a container for holding aplurality of lm sheets of microfiche cards. Permanent magnets arelocated on opposite side walls of the container and a plurality of fullwidth metallic, magnetic dividers are interposed between the microfichecards. The dividers may be color-coded to separate the cards intodefinite categories. The metallic dividers are easily separated by themagnetic force of the magnets and serve to provide easy access tomicrofiche cards as well as preventing them from curling. One embodimentprovides metallic dividers with upstanding spaced-apart tabs on theupper edge thereof so that damage to the microfiche cards from objectsbeing placed on the file arrangement is avoided.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 557,310, filed June 13,1966i, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to a filing structure and moreparticularly to a magnetic file structure for microfilm.

Data is commonly recorded on sheets of microfilm called microfiche. Themicrofiche are usually stored in files until they are utilized in areader. Since the microfiche are made from long rolls of film which iscut into standard size sheets, the microfiche tend to curl back to theshape after the film is processed and filed. This curl memory results inthe microfiche bending or otherwise deforming pasteboard spearators ordividers which have been utilized in prior art filing structures todefine filing locations for data bearing objects. The deformedpasteboard dividers have been found to be unsatisfactory in use, sincethe files are hard to search and are bulky due to waste space betweenthe curled microfiche and the divider.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous to use microfiche forrecording data commonly found in massive automotive truck partscatalogs. The data contained in several massive parts catalogs can beeasily stored in few trays of microfiche. However, the continualsearching of the files and changes in humidity tend to wear out thepasteboard separators normally used in prior are separators. The servicelife of the pasteboard separators is shortened still further whenforeign material, such as grease from the hands of a mechanic, adheresto the separator.

In a garage, and other locations, the protection of the relativelyexpensive microfiche against damage is one of the main functions of afile container. The problem of protecting the delicate microfichebecomes particularly acute when a file container is used in a locationwhere books or heavy automotive parts may be placed on top of the filecontainer. However, this need for protecting the microfiche iscounterbalanced by the necessity of having ready access to the filedmicrofiche.

The microfiche files will, in all probability, be utilized by severalmen at the same time. It is relatively easy for one man to misfile amicrofiche in a location from which someone else has withdrawn amicrofiche. For all practical purposes, the data on a misfiledmicrofiche is lost Patented Sept. 9, 1969 ICC until the microfiche isrefiled in its proper location. Thus a filing system should enable amisfiled microfiche to be readily located and returned to its properfiling location.

Therefore, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a durablefiling structure for holding a microfiche or other filed object in afiat position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a filing structure whichhas rugged dividers which are impervious to changes in humidity andforeign material.

Another object of this invention is to provide an open top filingstructure which protects the filed microfiche, or other data bearingobjects against damage while at the same time permitting easy access tothe filed objects.

Another object of this invention is to provide a filing system in whicha misfiled object can be readily located and returned to its properfiling location.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become moreapparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a file container setting forth apreferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 2 2 of FIG.l, illustrating a microfiche positioned in its filing location in thecontainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between themicrofiche and the dividers utilized in the filing structure of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a microfiche;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a separator utilized in the fillingcontainer of FIG. l to separate the microfiche and associated dividersinto groups according to the subject matter of the microfiche;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional View of the mounting means fora filing rod which retains the dividers and separators in the filingcontainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the relationship between the microficheand a second embodiment of the dividers which are utilized to definefiling locations for the microfichepand FIG. 8 is an enlargedperspective view illustrating the relationship between an upstanding tabof the dividers of FIG. 7 and a microfiche.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated inFIG. l an exemplary filing container 10 having a pair of -longitudinallyextending side walls 12 Iand 14 which are inter-connected by atransversely extending base wall 16. A pair of sloping endwalls 18, onlyone of which is shown, are also provided to interconnect the side walls12 and 14 to provide an open box-shaped filing structure.

Referring now to FIG, 2, taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, it can beseen that a pair of longitudinally extending bar magnets 2-0 and 22 aremounted on the side walls 12 and 14. A plurality of data-bearingobjects, such `as microfiche 24, are positioned in the filing container10 intermediate the bar magnets 20 and 22. The base or lower edge 26 ofa :microfiche rests on a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apartsupport platforms 28 and 30 which are secured to the base and side wallsof the container.

As is perhaps best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the container 10 is dividedinto a plurality of filing locations by the transversely extendingdividers 32 which are integrally formed of a magnetizable metal. Themetallic dividers have a vertical height which is less than that of themicrofiche 24. The microfiche 24 extend vertically above the metallicdividers 32, and the side walls 12 and 14 of the container, so that anindicia bearing identification section 34 of the microfiche is visibleabove the dividers and the side walls of the container (see lalso FIG.2). The

dividers 32 are fanned apart, due to the induction of similar magneticfields in the adjacent dividers, by the longitudinally extending barmagnets 20 and 22. The similarly magnetized metallic dividers will repeleach other in a manner well known to those skilled in the art and setforth in greater detail in United States Patent No. 2,954,032 to ErnestA. Dahl, Sr. It should be noted that in prior art devices, such as -thatdisclosed in the aforementioned patent to Ernest A. Dahl, Sr., a pair ofspaced apart metallic inserts are mounted in a pasteboard divider. Inthe present device a completely metallic divider made of a magnetizablematerial cooperates with the bar magnets 20 and 22.

The metallic dividers utilized in one experimental structure have athickness of approximately .004 of an inch. The pasteboard dividers,commonly utilized in prior art structures, generally have a bodythickness of approximately .006 of an inch. The pasteboard dividers, atthe location wherein the metallic inserts are positioned, commonly havea thickness of approximately .012 of an inch. It is apparent that by theuse of metallic dividers a saving of approximately .008 of an inch ofspace results at each filing location. Since a microfiche has athickness of approximately .0085 of an inch, the space saving resultingfrom the use of a metallic divider is equal to approximately thethickness of the microfiche. Therefore, a microfiche and a metallicdivider can be filed in the same longitudinal space as was formerlyoccupied by just a pasteboard divider with its metallic inserts. Theresulting space saving increases the filing capacity of a container byapproximately one and one-half times the filing capicity of thecontainer when pasteboard dividers having metallic inserts are utilized.

The use of metallic dividers, in addition to increasing the storagecapacity of a filing container, enables a wider induced magnetic fieldto be formed in the dividers. Thus, the magnetic field induced by thebar magnets 20 and 22 in the metallic dividers 32 can extend for theentire area of the divider. The resulting relatively wide inducedmagnetic field provides a soft fanning action between the dividers, asshown at the center of the container of FIG. l. This soft fanning actionpermits the file container to be searched for a particular microfichewithout damaging the other filed microfiche.

The metallic dividers 32 also last longer than the pasteboard dividerscommonly utilized in prior art structures. The pasteboard dividersabsorb moisture from the air and are adversely affected by changes inhumidity. The 4pasteboard dividers also absorb dirt, grease and otherforeign material which may be on the hands of a person searching thefiles. Therefore, the pasteboard dividers must, after a period of use,be replaced. On the other hand, the metallic dividers do not absorbmoisture from the air or other foreign materials. If the metallicdividers become dirty, due to grease or dirt adhering to the exteriorsurface of the dividers, the dividers can be easily cleaned by merelywiping them off or with a cloth and suitable solvent. In addition tothese advantages, the service life of a metallic divider is furtherincreased since it will not become ragged or torn along its exposededges when used continuously, as is the tendency with pasteboarddividers.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages of metallic dividers whichare desirable in connection with the filing of any data bearing object,the metallic dividers are particularly well suited to the filing ofmicrofiche. The metallic dividers have a greater weight than pasteboarddividers, due to the relatively dense formation of metal. Thecomparatively large weight of a metallic divider enables the divider topress the microfiche fiat'against and adjoining divider which isjuxtaposed with the surface of the microfiche. Therefore, theaforementioned curl memory of the microfiche cannot result in an arcuatebending of the microfiche as commonly occurs in a filing structureutilizing pasteboard dividers. ln a filing structure utilizing metallicdividers, the relatively heavy metal dividers press the microfiche fiat,due to planar contact of the heavy -divider with the microfiche, while apasteboard divider results in only a line contact between the pasteboarddivider and the microfiche at the center of the arcuate bend or curl inthe microfiche.

The microfiche 24, as will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 4,includes a plurality of horizontally extending rows 40 of data which areidentified by indicia in a column -42 at the left side of themicrofiche. The rows 40 of data are also divided into verticallyextending columns 44. Indicia 46 which is displayed on the upper indiciabearing section 34 of the microfiche 24 identifies the data set forth inthe rows 40 and columns 44 on the body of the microfiche. The upperindicia bearing section 34 is color coded, as indicated lby the lines inFIG. 4, to further identify the subject matter of the data set forth inthe body portion of the microfiche.

The microfiche are also separated into groups, in the filing container10, by a plurality of separators 47, as shown in FIGS. l and 5. Theseparators 47 divide the filing container 10 into groups according tothe subject matter of the microfiche. The subject matter of each groupis indicated by an upstanding tab 48 which is formed on an upper edge ofthe separators 47. Suitable indicia 50 is positioned on the tab toindicate the subject matter of the group of microfiche set off by theparticular divider. Since all of the microfiche relating to one subjectgroup have indicia sections 34 of the same color, all of the microficheassociated with a particular separator 47 have indicia sections 34 ofthe same color. The adjacent groups of microfiche, relating to differentsubject matter, are set off by suitably marked separators 47 and have acolor contrasting with that of the adjacent microfiche relating to adifferent subject matter. If a microfiche should 4be inadvertently filedin an incorrect group, the colored indicia section 34 of the microficheenables the microfiche to be quickly located, Thus if a microficherelating to a subject matter color coded red is placed in a filinglocation intended for a microfiche relating to a subject matter colorcoded blue, the misfiled microfiche having a red indicia section will beimmediately apparent. It is contemplated that the microfiche could haveindicia sections 34 of two different colors, such as red and blue, whena large number of subject groups are used in a filing system. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the metallic dividers 32 andseparators 47 could, if desired, be colored with a suitable coding toindicate the color coding of the associated microfiche.

The dividers 32 and separators 47, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, havedownwardly projecting retaining tabs 54 and 56. The tabs 54 and 56 havecentral apertures 58 and 60 through `which a retaining rod 62, as shownin FIG. 6, is inserted. The apertures `58 and 60 are considerably largerin diameter than the retaining rod 62. The relatively large apertures 58and 60 permit the dividers and separators to be fanned relative to eachother and the sides of the container. Since the dividers 32 andseparators 47 are formed of metal, the tabs 54 and 56 will not be rippedor mutilated at the apertures 58 and 60 due to the fanning of thedividers and separators.

The retaining rod 62 is mounted in the container on a mounting bracket66 which is secured to the base wall of the container. The mountingbracket 66 includes an upwardly projecting rectangular base member 68from which a rearwardly extending tapered cylindrical socket 70 isintegrally formed. The socket 70 includes a plurality of resilientfingers 72 which are defined by the slits 74 in the socket 70. Theresilient fingers 72 clampingly engage a rearward end 76 of theretaining rod `62 to hold the retaining rod fixedly in position relativeto the container 10. The retaining rod 62 can be withdrawn from themounting member `66 by pulling the knob 80, see FIG. l, at an oppositeend of the rod outwardly relative lo the container 10.

A second embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In thisembodiment a plurality of dividers 90 having upwardly extending ears ortabs 92 are utilized for defining filing locations for the microfiche24. The tabs 92 are positioned adjacent vertically extending outer edgesof the dividers 90 to protect the outer edges of the microfiche, asshown in FIG. 8. The ears or tabs 92 extend vertically above themicrofiche to protect the microfiche against the inadvertent positioningof a heavy object, such as a book or automotive part, on the open toppedfiling container 10. The ears or tabs 92 also protect the upper outercorners of the microfiche.

The indicia 46 on the microfiche is clearly visible in a recess 94formed between the upwardly extending ears or tabs 92 of the dividers90. The recesses 94 permit the indicia 46 and the colored upper section34 of the microfiche to be readily viewed when the dividers are fannedapart to search the container. It will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the metallic dividers 90 could, if desired, extend abovethe microfiche 24 for the entire transverse upper edge of themicrofiche. This would, protect the upper edge of the microfiche.However, such a divider construction would impede the rapid location ofa desired microfiche, since the recess 94 would be eliminated and theindicia 46 would not be clearly visible.

For purposes of affording a more complete understanding of the inventionit is advantageous now to provide a functional description of the modein which the component parts thus far identified cooperate. A pluralityof sheets of microfilm, or microfiche 24 are positioned in the filingcontainer 10 in filing locations defined by the metallic dividers 32 andseparators 47. When it is desired to locate a particular microfiche inthe filing co-ntainer 10, it is merely necessary to move the metallicsepparator 47 associated with the subject matter of the desiredmicrofiche. The microfiche in the group related to that subject matterwill be fanned apart due to the magnetic repulsion between similarlyinduced magnetic fields in the metallic dividers 32. The indicia 46 onthe upper colored section 34 of the microfiche will then be easily seenabove the upper edge of the microfiche.

After the selected microfiche has been inspected in a suitable readingmechanism, the microfiche is returned to the container 10` by fanningthe dividers associated with the color coded subject of the microficheto be returned. When the predetermined filing location for themicrofiche is located, the microfiche is inserted therein. If themicrofiche should be misfiled, the color coding in the upper section 34of the microfiche will cause the misfiled microfiche to stand out in acolor coded group other than the one in which the microfiche should befiled.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the microfichewill be protected against damage by heavy objects being placed on theopen topped file -by the upstanding tabs or ears 92. When a heavy objectis placed on the file, the tabs or ears of the relatively rrigidmetallic dividers will prevent the object from engaging an upper edge ofthe comparatively delicate microfiche. While the ears or tabs 92 protectthe microfiche against damage, they also permit the file to be readilysearched, since a recess 94 is formed between the upstanding ears 92 inwhich the indicia 46 and the microfiche 24 can be readily viewed.

The specific embodiments herein shown and described are to be consideredas being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those describedwill, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes areto be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as theyfall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A file assembly comprising in combination: a plurality of microfichedata cards; each said microfiche data card having an inherent curlingproperty; a container having first and second spaced apart sidewallsinterconnected by a base wall for holding said microfiche data cards; afirst magnet means supported by said first sidewall; a second magnetmeans supported by said second sidewall; and a plurality of dividerseach being integrally formed entirely of a thin sheet of magnetizablemetallic material, said dividers being of a width substantially equal tothe width of, and a height slightly less than that of said microfichecards, so that said cards extend above said dividers from within saidcontainer and with opposite edges of said dividers disposed adjacentsaid first and second magnet means, each of said microfiche cards beinginterposed between a pair of said dividers in said container to definefiling locations for said microfiche cards, said dividers having athickness less than that of Said cards and a density and weightsufficient to counteract and prevent the curling of said microfichecards; wherein the removal of a microfiche card from its filing locationis facilitated by a fanning apart of at least a portion of saidplurality of dividers by magnetic repulsion between magnetic fieldsinduced throughout the area of each of said dividers by said first andsecond magnet means.

2. A file assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said microfiche cardshave a thickness `of approximately .0085 of an inch and wherein saidmetallic dividers have a thickness approximately half that of saidmicrofiche cards.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,233,076 7/1917 Lowenstein.

2,341,639 2/1944 Mathiesen 129-16 2,523,722 9/1950 Saaf et al. 129-162,668,877 2/1954 Gent et al. 129-l6.1 X

2,984,921 5/1961 Herzig 40--158 3,224,824 12/1965 Remke 129-16 X FOREIGNPATENTS 1,965,134 10/1934 Australia.

1,327,257 4/ 1963 France.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. XR.

